As the Augusta Masters heads into its sacred “Day of Moving” on Saturday, a strong contingent of competitors are facing the golfing equivalent of “Mission Impossible”.

Dare if any of these mere mortals might - look up and they’ll see the name Justin Rose almost engraved in the top spot of the leaderboard. He’s been sitting here since Thursday afternoon, the day this prestigious golfing festival got started for reals.

Rose carries a one shot lead over Justin DeChambeau, while Rory McIlroy lingers a further stroke back. Elsewhere, the defending champion Scottie Scheffler has three shots to make up after failing to close the gap.

Mount Rose is not something you can just clamber over at will on a jolly afternoon at Augusta National Golf Club. This is almost his second home. There are dangers lurking everywhere, one slip and the Rose will eat you alive.

No surprise the likes of DeChambeau, McIlroy, Scheffler and Viktor Hofland were trying to deflect their gaze away from the mini leaderboards being lofted menacingly around the course throughout their rounds on Friday.

The intimidation is real. And Rose is loving it.

“I think my game is good. I feel like I’m showing much more quality this year in my game than I have done the past couple years,” said Rose, downplaying his excellence on the first two days.

Rose carded a rock-solid 71 on the day to maintain his momentum, and his short game was absolutely majestic.

“It was a decent day. My wedge kept me in a good spot,” Rose agreed.

“The leaderboard is stacking up with world-class players. So you’re going to have to play great golf, and you’re going to have to go out there and want it and go for it and get after it. It’s as simple as that.”

The question on everyone’s lips… are any of these world-class players capable of wrestling the green jacket away from its rightful owner come the close of play on Sunday? I wouldn’t bet on it.

The Rosé is on ice. It’s coming home.

⛳️